Operation Scud saw the number plates of 4227 vehicles scanned as they passed on Hoddle Street in Clifton Hill, leading to 26 penalty notices - mostly for unregistered vehicles and unlicensed driving.

One driver was also found to have a blood-alcohol content of .05 after being pulled over for other reasons.

“These automated number plate recognition systems are advanced technology that allow us to scan the number plates of passing traffic on any given road at a rapid rate and identify unauthorised drivers, such as those with a suspended or cancelled licence,” Sergeant Graeme Kittle said.

“We will continue to run these operations, not just here in Yarra, but across Victoria to ensure we are removing these drivers from our roads.”

The operation ran throughout the entire day. Unregistered vehicles pose a particular threat to other road users as these cars are commonly not covered for property damage insurance (although third party injury, as a no-fault liability cover, does apply in Victoria despite no registration nor third-party insurance payment).

Victoria's road toll is currently at 235 fatalities, down from 250 for the same period last year.

It is just great to hear that traffic authorities aim to do this and clean up those mess on the street. Sometimes, it is really scary to deal with this cars because we will not be able to know if they are good people or criminals.